If you or someone you care about has been struggling with substance abuse, professional treatment can help you break free from the destructive cycle of addiction. The first step of professional addiction treatment programs is usually detoxification when addictive substances are cleansed from a person’s body.
During the detox process at an addiction treatment facility, a client rids their body of the last traces of substances they have been abusing while getting ready for the rest of their healing process. If you’re looking for a drug and alcohol detox center in Baltimore, contact us today. Call Baltimore Detox Center at [Direct] or reach out to our team online.
What Are the Benefits of Detox?
Many people struggling with addiction may find themselves intimidated at the thought of going through detox. They may have heard that’s the process is difficult to get through and may prefer to do it by themselves at home — without the comforts provided by a medical detox program. However, people may find comfort in learning about detox’s various benefits, especially when it’s done with professional help.
In a medical detox program, a client’s reactions to withdrawal and eventual detox are monitored by trained staff to ensure the client remains comfortable and safe throughout the process. In some cases, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may be recommended to keep cravings at bay or reduce painful or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. The main benefit of medical detox is that it provides a safety net for clients. Someone going through detox may fully focus on the fact that they’ve decided to break free from their addiction instead of dealing with cravings and pains — or being worried about their chances of recovery success or their very survival.
The main benefit of going through detox — medical or otherwise — is next. After detox, a client can transition into a more comprehensive addiction treatment program. Even before going to a behavioral therapy session or participating in a group activity, clients will feel their bodies adjusting to their sober condition. They will feel less physical strain, get their appetite back, and start looking and feeling healthier.
What Are Common Withdrawal Symptoms To Watch Out For?
You may be wondering: “How long does detox last?” However, it’s not the period that intimidates most would-be clients of detox centers. The withdrawal symptoms of every client going through detox experiences make this first step toward addiction recovery so intimidating.
Different clients will have different experiences when it comes to withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and from rare to frequent in how often they arise. A client’s experience with withdrawal symptoms depends on:
- The addictive substance and how long it was abused
- The client’s age, as well as their physical and psychological characteristics
- The components of their detox program, such as whether or not they receive MAT
Common withdrawal symptoms can include the following:
- Anxiety and depression
- Drug cravings
- Fatigue
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Irritability and frequently changing moods
- Nausea
- Physical aches and pains
A person may also feel hot and then cold, have goosebumps, or have a runny nose during detox — as if they’re going through a cold or the flu. Severe withdrawal symptoms can include confusion, disorientation, paranoia, and tremors. These common symptoms can arise for a few days or weeks, but they will eventually stop happening.
How Long Does Detox Last?
Some people equate not experiencing withdrawal symptoms anymore with the end of the detox period. However, there are situations when this is not the case.
Detoxing from drugs or alcohol involves cleansing the body of addictive substances and managing any withdrawal symptoms that arise. The entire process can take a few days to a few months. How long a client’s detox process takes depends on many factors, including:
- The addictive substances abused
- How often the client abuse substances
- How much of the substances the client used
- Underlying co-occurring mental health conditions
- The client’s age, gender, and medical history
Detox programs are designed to assist clients during the process of withdrawal. They generally last from three days to a week unless the client needs to taper off drugs slowly or struggles with post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). In cases like these, detox programs may take a little longer, or some treatments they offer may continue even though the client has already transitioned into another addiction treatment program.
Ready To Learn More About Baltimore Detox Center’s Programs?
If you’re looking for a drug and alcohol detox center in Baltimore, contact us today. Call Baltimore Detox Center at [Direct] or reach out to our team online.
